DNA Vocabulary | TGHS Biology Honors G9 25-26

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

A molecule that carries the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms. It is shaped like a double helix (one strand of "rope" wrapped around another strand).

Cytoplasm

Jelly-like substance that fills a cell, enclosing all organelles and genetic material.

Biomolecule

Organic molecules produced by living organisms that are essential for life, including large macromolecules like proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids, as well as smaller molecules such as vitamins and hormones.

Adenine

One of the four main bases that make up the genetic code. It forms hydrogen bonds with thymine (T) in DNA and uracil (U) in RNA to help stabilize the double helix structure.

Guanine

One of the four main bases that make up the genetic code. It forms hydrogen bonds with cytosine (C) in DNA and in RNA to help stabilize the double helix structure.

Cytosine

One of the four main bases that make up the genetic code. It forms hydrogen bonds with guanine (G) in DNA and in RNA to help stabilize the double helix structure.

Thymine

One of the four main bases that make up the genetic code. It forms hydrogen bonds with adenine (A) in DNA.

Uracil

One of the nitrogen bases found in RNA. It forms hydrogen bonds with adenine.

Chromosome

A threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.

Nucleotide

The basic building block of DNA and RNA, composed of a five-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. It is crucial for storing genetic information.

Complementary

A fundamental principle where specific nucleotide bases bond together to form DNA and RNA strands. In DNA, adenine always bonds with thymine and guanine always pairs with cytosine.

Replication

The biological process of copying a cell's DNA.

DNA polymerase

Enzymes that make DNA by adding nucleotides to a growing strand. They work by moving along a single DNA strand, reading the bases, and adding the corresponding complementary nucleotide.

RNA polymerase

Enzyme that makes RNA from a DNA template during transcription. It works by unwinding the DNA double helix, reading one strand, and creating a single-stranded RNA molecule that is a complementary copy.

Chromatin

Made of DNA and proteins that forms a round shaped structure in which the genetic material is found.

Double helix

A twisted ladder-like structure where two complementary strands of nucleotides wind around each other.

Base pair

A base pair consists of two complementary nitrogenous bases (A-T, C-G). These pairs are the building blocks of the DNA double helix, forming the 'rungs' of the ladder structure.

Gene

The basic unit of heredity, defined as a specific sequence of DNA that contains the instructions for building a functional molecule, most commonly a protein.

Purine

A type of organic compound found in DNA, RNA, and many foods, which the body breaks down into uric acid. (Adenine and guanine)

Pyrimidine

Organic compound with double rings that plays a role in genetics (Thymine and cytosine).

Hydrogen bonds

Crucial intermolecular forces that are vital for the structure and function of biological molecules like DNA and proteins.

mRNA (messenger Ribonucleic Acid)

A single-stranded nucleic acid molecule that takes the message from the DNA out to the RNA in the ribosomes

tRNA (transfer RNA)

Brings the correct amino acid to the ribosome, matching its anticodon to the corresponding mRNA codon to ensure the accurate assembly of a protein chain.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

A vital single-stranded nucleic acid that performs various functions in living cells, such as carrying genetic information from DNA and helping in protein synthesis.

Transcription

The process of creating an RNA copy of a DNA sequence.

Translation

The biological process where genetic information from messenger RNA (mRNA) is used to synthesize proteins.

Chargaff's rule

"In any double-stranded DNA molecule, the amount of adenine (A) always equals the amount of thymine (T) and the amount of cytosine (C) always equals the amount of guanine (G)."

Semi-conservative

Refers to DNA replication, where each new DNA molecule consists of one original ('parental') strand and one newly synthesized strand.

rRNA (ribosomal RNA)

A type of RNA that is the main component of ribosomes, the cellular machinery for protein synthesis.

Helicase

An enzyme that unwinds the double helix of DNA by breaking the hydrogen bonds between base pairs.

Primase

An enzyme that makes a short RNA primer, which serves as a starting point for DNA polymerase during DNA replication.

Ligase

A type of enzyme that acts as a molecular 'glue' to join two molecules by forming a new chemical bond.